THESIS TOPIC
BRAINSTORMING
Alex Jeffrey Siekierski | Master of Architecture Candidate Boston Architectural College
Spring | 2011
table of
CONTENTS
1 2 3 4 5 6
Word Cloud Studio Summaries Non-Studio References Architectural Case Studies Investigational Ideas Previous BAC Thesis List
VOCABULARY Word Cloud
HEALTHCARE
PHYSICAL PH SICAL THERAPY
CONNECTION GREEN SPACE
LAWN WINTER GARDEN
SHARED FARMING
PRODUCE
NEW
INVESTMENT
PRIDE
FAMILYFLEXABILITY RETIREMENT
TECHNOLOGY
OWNERSHIP
WORK/LIVE
CHOICE
RESTAURANT RES URANT
ADAP APTABILI ABILITY
FABRIC ABRIC URBAN ENTERTAINMENT VIEWS COMMUNITY HEARTH TRUST
WELNESS CENTER
SUSTAINABLITY
PARKING
SECURITY
SPRINGFIELD TECH Architectural Studio 1
Spring | 2006
Vermont Lake House The goal of this studio was to re-invision my families vacation home. Located on a cliff overlooking Lake Champlain, the design intent was to take advantage of the site by stepping down the program spaces with the sloped site. Views were a crucial part of the experiential qualities of the space therefore balconies and decks were used for social and private usages.
UMASS AMHERST Design 1
Fall | 2006
The Northampton Restaurant Curb appeal was the design approach. Creating an interactive facade which allows passers to experience some of the building without even entering it. Overhangs and the use of mixed geometries created a uniques canopy to attract patrons. Having two points of entry allowed for two types of social crowds to inhabit the same space without mixing. Restaunt above with and internet cafe below.
UMASS AMHERST Design 2
Spring | 2007
The Richard Meier Study Center The studio’s program called for a study center located next to Meier’s Smith House. After analyzing the residence, circulation, openess, and leveling became noticable design solutions. In recreating these themes a large circulation axis divides the building giving an area for the building to breath. Creating unclear corners gives visitors a path of curiosity. Double story spaces such as the library open up views toward the smith house.
UMASS AMHERST Design 5
Fall | 2007
Amherst Care Center With a central open stadium design the internal center of the building was designed to allow natural light into the front of the residential units as well as serving as the primary area to congregate and exercise year round. Above this space is an open air rooftop walking area with private garden spaces. Porches are able to be located on the interior and exterior for all units.
TU-BERLIN Dubai Metrozone Studio
Spring | 2008
The Green Bridge One of the design challenges in Dubai currently is bridging one of the largest highways in the city. With the proposed metro line running in parellel to this highway, passengers will often want to cross over. I wanted to propose a solution by cutting down the highway near the metro stops and slightly bridging over the highway allowing for adaquate headroom for truckers. These bridges will be vegetated areas for tourist and passerbyers to experience the amazing views of the modern skyscrapers.
BOSTON ARCHITECTURAL COLLEGE A1 Studio
Fall | 2008
Newbury Street Art Gallery Across from the BAC this propsed gallery is open throughout three levels which terraces downward to the street in the rear. By stepping the structure back from the newbury storefront provides passerbys with curiosity. A small bridge takes you across into the main entry. Tree tops will be at the human level of newbury street. An artistic glass facade is used for attraction as well as unique shadows within the gallery. Curved ramps enclose gallery viewing areas within the interior.
BOSTON ARCHITECTURAL COLLEGE Sketch Problem 1
November | 2008
Poet’s Retreat The ADA accessible cabin was designed for a visiting poet to do their writings. Solar awareness began the design to maximize natural illumination of the space. Vegetation was provided around the entrance ramp for warm greeting. A raised roof above the desk where the writer works adds to the atmosphere of the room allowing the space to breath.
BOSTON ARCHITECTURAL COLLEGE B2 Studio | Part 1
Fall | 2009
The Arnold Arboretum Educational Pavilion The design intent was to locate the building in a place where it will minimally impact the site. Lots of natural light is allowed into the space providing views of the Arboritum’s natural environment. Circulation from the walking paths is continued through the structure and onward, making for an easy walk through of the space. Open pavilions give some coverage for people to come and socialize.
BOSTON ARCHITECTURAL COLLEGE B2 Studio | Part 2
Spring | 2009
Chinatown Cultural Center As a continuation of the Greenway, the structure serves as a southern anchor point while the Zakim bridge serves at the northern. An interaction of spaces can be opened to the outdoors allowing chinese rituals to occur and invite the community into the structure. Also as a continuation of the Greenway, vegitated spaces lead you toward the primary entrance of the building as well as upper level open air courtyards add to the spacial environment, providing additional natural light into the space.
BOSTON ARCHITECTURAL COLLEGE Steel Competition
Winter | 2009
The Heart + it’s Circulatory Arteries Programmatically the cafetorium, also known as the “Heart”, gave way to expressing the internal connection towards nature. The second part of the building, “Artery” flows through the heart, allows for the interaction between children, faculty, and community to become seamless. A large steel joist system allows for the opening of the double height mix used area. The cafetorium space also utilizes cantilevered beams in order to support the surrounding pathways of the balcony.
BOSTON ARCHITECTURAL COLLEGE Sketch Problem 2
November | 2009
The Folding Container The goal of the project was to use a shipping container for a small studio space. The container is sliced into and folded apart to create the entrance ramp and glazed areas. The ADA restroom is able to be slided out from the containers shell providing a place for plumbing hookups and additional square footage.
BOSTON ARCHITECTURAL COLLEGE Miami Competition
Fall | 2009
Miami Promenade Hotel With beachfront property the design was to use floor plates to create unique views amd balconies. These floor plates would then be infilled by three types of hotel units. Among the units and floor plates is a perforated skin which encloses some of the exterior spaces, providing additional shading. At the entry level a large grotto extends from one end of the building to the other allowing a view through the structure directly to the ovean. This also allows for natural cross cooling of the lower spaces.
BOSTON ARCHITECTURAL COLLEGE C1 Studio | Part 1
Spring | 2010
The Mountain Hut The goal was to attract hikers away from the path and get them to a destination point. The destination being the lookout area on the roof of the structure which can be accessed by the natural landscape. The building is burrowed within the side of the mountain allowing for earthcoupling. This keeps the sleeping area cool in the summer and tolerable in the winter. The long cooridor compresses and releases the visitor into the main social area with views of Mount Washington’s Summit.
BOSTON ARCHITECTURAL COLLEGE C1 Studio | Part 2
Spring | 2010
The Explorer’s Club Similiar design goals were used from project 1 which include attracting people off of the path toward a grand space. The cantaleivered mixed use space serves at the ultimate destination. Bridging the railroad tracks the structure tries to blend and reveal itself along a skinny narrow site adjacent to the transit. A glazed atrium space also serves the community as a climbing playground kids can use.
BOSTON ARCHITECTURAL COLLEGE C2 Studio
Spring | 2010
Green Spaces and Common Spaces The design was aimed towards an vertical elderly community focused around a central winter garden. This lower levels filled with the common program spaces all looked into this centralized green space. It serves at the heart of the building in a public realm. As the resident gets closer to home by driving up the vertical streets a more private community exists with additional green spaces within the units.
BOSTON ARCHITECTURAL COLLEGE Sketch Problem 3
Spring | 2010
Natural Systems Sustainability was the focus on designing this poet’s retreat. Carving into the sloped site allows for earth coupling to occur. This also alows rain run off to be collected and used for cooling/ cooking. A large skylight is angled toward the suns path allowing natural light to fill the poets work space.
BOSTON ARCHITECTURAL COLLEGE Long Studio
Fall | 2010
Harborwalk Lounge With respect to the sloped site and adjacent historical fortress the design intends to capture the vernacular materials with an organic shape toward the sea to divert winds and a regular pattern toward the inland for private social spaces. On the interior, views are elongated through the building by efforts of terracing the program levels. A large waterfall wall allows for additional cooling that can transpire up toward the open air green space.
NON-STUDIO REFERENCES Orchard Gardens k-8 School
Exposed Steel Vibrant colors were used in the school to express the buildings structural members. I enjoyed the architectural expression that is revealed by not concealing the buildings structural systems. It gives a truthful aestetic which relates directly to the design.
NON-STUDIO REFERENCES Carpenter Center
The S Walkway Le Corbusier uses a large ramp/ pathway to cut across his building providing persons to experience the buuildings without having to use it. Programmatically this divides the structure into 2 parts which can then have additional natural light. His uniformity with smooth concrete gives a light feeling for a heavy building material.
NON-STUDIO REFERENCES Minoan Palaces
Building from History The Minoan palaces were designed to fit the program spaces it needed. As the king/queen became more powerful the structure was able to be added onto and serviced. It became an adaptable city which used local building materials and allowed for natural light to penetrate the multiple levels it had.
NON-STUDIO REFERENCES History A
Egypt, Rome, & Crete Scale became a very important thing for the Egyptians and Romans for they were building for the Pharoahs and Gods. There structures all used local materials and allowed light to enter the spaces. A series of spaces is woven together through there structures.
NON-STUDIO REFERENCES Paul Rudolph
Drawing to Perfection I do not know much about Paul Rudolph but I did use some of his hand renderings as design references. His drawings are very compelling and portray the building from a very important view.
NON-STUDIO REFERENCES C-2 Inspirations
Inspiration Through Case Studies Below is a collection of random images I used as design references. The show how forms can be pushed and pulled to create additional spaces which are unique to the forms that surround them. Courtyards and green spaces become large features of these spaces as well.
Architectural Case Studies Richard Meier
Unadorned,Opaque & Materiality I do not know much about Meier’s functional usages in his structures but I do see a common pattern with the materials he tends to use. I enjoy the unadorned surfaces which are expressed by the acceptance of light.
Architectural Case Studies Rem Koolhaas
Form & Function Rem seems like an old dog who is still kicking. I enjoy the types of forms that he uses which tend to house his program well. It seems like a constant dialogue between form & use, in which they find balance. He tends to frame views and make a critical moment within his structures that then publicly define them. I enjoy his international influence with designing to many different climates and cultures.
Architectural Case Studies CHURTICHAGA AND QUADRA-SALCEDO
Regional Roots After completing a semesters long study on the library above, as well as, meeting the designers. I found that they took reference in the historical context of the site and culture along with the modernistic use of materiality. Brick was used as a structural means to express the regional building techniques. Natural lighting was another large design influence within the library.
Architectural Case Studies BIG - Bjarke Ingels Group
Cutting Edge I was able to visit the image above and it was one of the first sucessful adaptive/integrative uses of form I have experienced. You are able to interct with the architect not just for the sole purpose that the program offers. BIG is a firm I like because it was created by a young designer who is taking form and use to a new level within this modern world.
Architectural Case Studies Louis Kahn
Simplicity & Fuctional I have always enjoyed how Kahn used heavy building materials and made his spaces feel light. Framing views and allowing light to highlight a space is some of the design features he uses. His use of incoporating natural elements has also been a nice addition to his overall designs. Similiar to calatrava, Kahn allows the raw material to show the flaws in his architecture.
Architectural Case Studies Santiago Calatrava
Architecture Expressed by Structure Calatrva’s architecture is expressed by geographical forms which influences the spaces within his architecture. This relates to a tectonic level of repetitiveness which all relates to a larger network of elements creating a whole. Also the simplicity in form is what makes his pieces rather compelling.
INVESTIGATIONAL USE Ski Resort
Winter & Summer Usage After taking up skiing last season I shortly fell inlove with the activity. The culture of experiencing the great outdoors. This was my first intro to ski lodging which I found to have a very specified atmosphere and feeling to them. Also it was great to see that the developments tend to have a golf course in the summer time along with hiking and mountain biking.
INVESTIGATIONAL USE Golf Resort
Landscape & Business Golf is an activity I have been playing now for over 10 years. It is an escape into the “developed natural� environment. Almost like a meditative experience, a walk through 18 holes of golf is Bliss. I wonder how this experience can be translated into the club house or even the surrounding housing developments. Maybe the use of the landscape can be incoporated into the architecture.
INVESTIGATIONAL USE Assisted Living
Growing in Numbers After working through some studios based on alderly care. I find that it is going to become a new building type as the number of baby boomers will begin to retire in the next 20 years. Technology and ammenities are all things that need to define this new building type. The changes that this generation has experienced must then begin to inform the architecture.
INVESTIGATIONAL USE Rehabilitaion Center (Drug & Alcohol)
Designing for Critical Mass Being 25 years old I have begun to notice and learn the difficulties my family experienced with substance abuse. I learned that it is one of the hardest and life threatening things to do is detox. I find it to be an excellent challenge to design a space which can comfort a human throughout this process.
INVESTIGATIONAL USE Film Production Design
Design of Imagery Becoming an actor was a sort of fantasy I always had for myself, and with the uprise in films being created on the eastcoast I tend to wonder how certain scenes are created. Willy Wonka is an example of taking a napkin sketch for a 6 year old and building it to be filmed. Its almost like faking a completely 3D world to be hidden and revealed from within the cameras lens.
INVESTIGATIONAL USE Planes & Boats
Compartmentalization The design of aircrafts and aquatic transportation & luxury ammenities have always been facinating. The engineering defines some of natures raths. Adaptability and concealing are the two inspirations behind the majority of the necessary features.